Katie School Hall of Fame
2016 Katie School Hall of Fame Photo Gallery
2016 Katie School Honorees
2016 marked the third year of the Katie School Hall of Fame.
This year's insurance industry honorees have contributed immensely to the success of the Katie School and the development of talent in the insurance industry. Like previous honorees, they have made significant contributions to the industry, have a national reputation for professional excellence, and demonstrated social responsibility, innovation and leadership.
Hall of Fame Laureate
Ed Rust
Chairman of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
Our 2016 Laureate is Edward B. Rust, Jr. formerly CEO and Chairman of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. Mr. Rust was instrumental in the development of the Katie School, the Illinois State University's College of Business in general, and has been a tremendous supporter for both higher and secondary education. More about Mr. Rust can be found on our Hall of Fame Laureate site.
Click here to contribute to the Edward B. Rust Jr. Katie School Hall of Fame Scholarship Fund
Ed Rust's Hall of Fame Laureate Acceptance Speech
Michael Tipsord's Introduction of Ed Rust
Hall of Fame Leadership Inductee
Mark Willis
Former Chairman AIG Property & Casualty U.S. and Canada
Our 2016 Katie School Leadership Award Winner is Mark Willis. Formerly, Chairman of AIG Property & Casualty, United States and Canada. Mr. Willis an active, and the longest serving member of the Katie School Board of Insurance Executives joining the board in 1998. Mark has been instrumental in helping the Katie School to attract resources for recruiting and developing talent for the industry. More information about Mr. Willis can be found on the Katie School Leadership Award page.
Click here to contribute to the Mark Willis Scholarship Fund
Mark Willis's Hall of Fame Leadership Inductee Speech
Young Leader Award
Jake Timmins
Vice President, Property Broker - RT Specialty
Our 2016 Katie School Young Leader Award Winner is Jake Timmins. A Katie School graduate in 2010, Jake is currently the Vice President, Property Broker for RT Specialty. Most notably, Jake is responsible for creating and spearheading the Gamma Iota Sigma Alumni Council. The GIS Alumni Council connects graduating students with young professionals in their area of work. Since its inception in 2014, the GIS Alumni Council has grown to over fifteen chapters with over 500 members throughout the United States. More information about Mr. Timmins can be found on the Katie School Young Leader Award page.
Innovation and Leadership Awards
Innovation and Leadership Award nomination submission information can be found here or call 309-438-3021 for more information. All proceeds from this biennial charity event will help develop the next generation of industry leaders through support of the Katie School of Insurance and Financial Services at Illinois State University.
Attracting Top Talent
The Katie School Hall of Fame mission, vision and goals are fulfilled by investments into funding programs designed to attract and develop the next generation of leaders. These investments come from support to the Hall of Fame Laureate and Hall of Fame event night.